Backstreet Boys' Howie Dorough has warned One Direction to keep their feet on the ground if they want their careers in the music industry to last.

Backstreet Boys Howie, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson have been making music together since 1993 - with a few breaks to pursue solo careers - and are currently touring the UK.

Howie told the Daily Star: "One Direction remind me so much of us back in the day, all that mania.

"It's a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourselves so you don't burn out too quickly.

"They have credited us as their inspiration, which is very flattering, but I can see how people get lost in this business when it comes to excesses in fame, success and money."

One Direction - Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson - were formed on The X Factor in 2010 and have achieved global stardom. But they have been dogged by rumours they are headed for a split since last year.

Howie added: "If we give 1D advice, would they even want to take it? I don't know if we would've at their age.

"But people who keep their feet on the ground don't go away, so they need a good support system around them.

"If they write great, timeless music and be good to their fans they'll have a long career."

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